I will be buying a 210 gl aquarium shortly and know that it will need to be cycled. I am planning on going with live plants. How soon can I add plants to the tank? Any one have any ideas of how to add decor in a tank that big? I want to do most of the work before it is completely filled.

I have a 75 and 28 right now, and lucked out not cycling. The 75 started just with one fish, and didn't any live plants for months (was using fake). And the 28, I used some of the water from the 75. I also used "cycle", or something like that that contained bacteria on both tanks.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks

SeaSerpant

12-25-2007 01:50 PM

I used Cycle in my 55gal tank. At the end of the first week after i put cycle in i put my live plant in it did fine. I would wait maybe 2 weeks before you put the live plants in. I think if you follow the directions on the bottle it will do fine.

Little-Fizz

12-25-2007 09:16 PM

You'll get better responses in the plant section... But I've been told water quality doesn't effect the plants. Are you going with a fish or a fishless cycle?

Quote:

Any one have any ideas of how to add decor in a tank that big? I want to do most of the work before it is completely filled.

Oh lol I missed this part... Decorate it however I guess? Look around online to get some ideas. I would get a couple air pumps, Some big rocks? If your putting live plants I wouldn't worry about decor, it'll look good no matter what, but you'll want some hiding places for your fish... I guess plants do that too though.

MKSII

12-26-2007 08:13 AM

Thanks.

Guess it would be a fish cycle. Trying to learn more about this without asking too many stupid questions. I was hanging around a LFS and was told about "Bio-Spira", and it cycles basically overnight?

Next part - do not know how to do the whole quote thing, but my question on decor was more about if I had to add plants after filling the aquarium, if there are any easy ways due to the fact I would get soaked trying to reach in there and move gravel, etc. That is why I was curious about how soon plants could be added. I would love to put a small amount of water, add the plants, and then continue filling the aquarium.

Little-Fizz

12-26-2007 08:45 AM

As far as I know all those cycling things are garbage. I would just do it the old fashioned way, If your going fishless you can use fish flakes, a dead prawn, ammonia... Theres a sticky on it I'll show you.. I suppose you could fill the tank up a enough to cover the plants while your decorating it, but when you pour more water in you'll probably disturb the gravel a lot and mix up a few plants. If it was me I would just get my hand in there and get a little wet. But maybe your tank is really tall?

Heres for cycling your tank if you haven't already seen it. As far as I know it is impossible to fully cycle your tank over night.

MKSII

12-26-2007 09:47 AM

The tank I am planning on getting (hopefully in the next week) will be 72 x 24 x 29 - 210 gallon. I already have to take my shirt off to get to the rear of my 75 gallon, so I can only figure I will need a snorkel for the new one :lol

Holly

12-27-2007 12:23 PM

Your fine to put the plants in before it's filled all the way. Make sure there's enough water in it so the whole plant stays wet. Just as an FYI also, I learned if you use a layer of Flora Base or Flourite in your substrate it will really make a difference. I was having a problem with my plants and didn't want to add anymore chemicals to my tank so I got a bag of Flourite and literally within a few days not only did they stop dying but after 2 months I had to spilt them and give half of the plants away since the tank was full. Great stuff!!

I've been told the BioSpira stuff is good stuff but I don't believe it cycles overnight. I just did a tank change around Thanksgiving and my water levels have been completely out of whack due to what I was putting in the tank to help cycle it. I didn't have a choice since I needed a place for my fish to go but I wouldn't suggest doing it that was since I really thought I was going to loose my fav fish that was the whole reason for the bigger tank.

Andyandsue

12-27-2007 11:44 PM

I've used BioSpira on all my tanks, and it worked like a charm. I've never used "Cycle". If you do choose to try BioSpira, make sure it's from a reputable LFS that has a high turnover and keeps it refrigerated. The statement that it cycles a tank overnight is a myth. It does not cycle overnight, but you will have 0 ammonia and Nitrites showing overnight, which as you know is a good thing. I cycled all of my tanks to perfect parameters in less than 1 week with it. LOVE that stuff.

MKSII

12-28-2007 12:01 AM

Thanks for the responses!!! That is exactly what I want to hear.

My plan is to buy from Drs. Foster and Smith. They have never let me down yet.